Top 5 Advent Calendars 2018 | Blogmas 2018 | Day 5

I always think that the Christmas period in itself is often actually often better than Christmas day. While I love Christmas day, its the whole festive period that makes my little Christmassy heart flutter. The music, the lights, carol services, secret Santas and of course the Christmas countdown. Being the chocoholic that I am, I always go for a chocolate advent calendar. Not only are they delicious but they don't break the bank. However, with that being said, I still love to fantasize about all the amazing non-chocolate advent calenders. Yes, they are usually quite expensive, but I think they are just so cool! So here are my top 5 advent calendars that I would totally buy if money were no object, along with my chocolate one of course!

1. 12 Days of Gin

This last summer, I really discovered my love for Gin. I can't even tell you what it is, but I just love it. While I think gin is a perfect summery drink, I think you can easily mix it up to make it more festive, and what better excuse than an advent calendar! With 12 different gins, I could live out my gin tasting fantasies. Or, you could save them up for Christmas day and get a little merry with your friends... in the spirit of Christmas of course!

2. English Tea Shop

Another drink related advent that I love the idea of, is a tea advent! (Could I get any more British?) I love tea so much and think this would be a super fun and slightly healthier alternative to a chocolate calendar. I think this one is really reasonably priced and a lot of the teas are special festive flavours. I just love the idea of opening my advent, brewing a hot cuppa and snuggling down with a fluffy blanket to watch elf... what a dream!

3. Playmobil Royal Iceskating Trip

I was obsessed with Playmobil as a child. My sisters and I would always get a new pack on holiday and it was quite possibly the most exciting thing ever for my little 7-year-old self. Well, turns out I never grew up (totally overrated anyway) because I would die for this advent calendar. I think these Playmobil advents are just so fun and I love the idea of setting up a little festive scene bit by bit until Christmas. I also really love ice skating and so this one is extra adorable to me.

4. Build your own retro camera

As a photographer who loves cutesy decor, this is so perfect. I don't think you actually build a working camera but you end up with this amazing retro camera that would look amazing on the shelf next to a gorgeous plant. I also think this is a super fun and practical take on an advent calendar. While it is a little more time consuming than popping out a quick chocolate before you head out the door, I think this would force you to just stop and spend a couple minuted focusing on building the next piece, which I think would do wonders in helping you relax in what some people find a very stressful time of year. 

5. 7 days of sockmas 
I have heard so many people saying that socks are a bad gift, but I have to disagree. I love new socks and you know what is better than new socks? New Christmas socks! While this is only a 7-day advent, I think this would be fab for the final week before Christmas. Just picture waking up, opening your advent and putting on your new pair of super cute Christmas socks. Immediately you're in a good mood! I feel like this is maybe a more unusual advent, but considering its only 7 days, you could just add it as a little bonus to make the final week of countdown extra exciting!

So there we have my top 5 advents. Don't they all just sound amazing? In a dream world, I would have them all. I'd wake up, put on my new socks, grab a cuppa with a chocolate, add a Playmobil piece to the scene, hop off for the day feeling super happy just knowing that when I get back I can spend a minute building my camera then grabbing a cheeky gin with my dinner. Pretty perfect right? 

What do you think? What kind of advent do you prefer? 

Hope you have a lovely day and I speak to you tomorrow,

6 Books You Will Want to Read in a Day.

As mentioned in a previous post, I am transferring my blog posts from the last year (they were on a different site) so here is number 7 of 9! Enjoy!

This was originally posted on 03/08/2017.

It's no secret that I am a bookworm. My love of books goes way back and I've had a book in my hand for as long as I can remember. So in all honesty, I'm not entirely sure why it's taken me so long to incorporate books into my blog. I have done the occasional review or book-related post, but I definitely want to start making it a more regular thing. As you have probably figured out from the title, here are 6 books that you will want to read in a day... at least I did! These are all books that I have read and couldn't put down. You may notice that they are all in the teen/young adult romance kind of genre. This genre is honestly one of my favourites. I love a lot of different genres but I often find that these are the 'I can't put it down' kind of books which I adore. So, I have waffled on enough... I give you 6 books you will want to read in a day!

1. Everything Everything

Everything, Everything

At this point, 'Everything, Everything' is a pretty well-known book and has even been made into a film. So it's apparent that I am not the only fan. I read this book last summer when I was on holiday in Egypt and let me tell you, it is the perfect sit by the pool and read a book. I was thoroughly gripped by this book and the characters and I can't wait to see the film adaption too. 

"Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world.

So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years.

But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddy,

tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her.

Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window,

and suddenly, a door opens.

Maddy is certainly going to fall in love with Olly.

It's almost certainly going to be a disaster."

2. If I Stay

If I Stay


This is also a pretty well-known book which got made into a film. I actually watched the film before discovering the book and honestly, I love them both. There is also a second book to this story (which hasn't been made into a film... yet *please*) and I loved seeing how the characters developed. This is such a gripping story and was just another put I simply could not put down.

"For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family,

friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough,

but they're all about a future full of music and love,

a future that's brimming with hope.

But life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...

and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone.

Except one.

As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

Haunting, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming,

If I Stay will make you appreciate all that you have,

all that you've lost - and all that might be."

3. Matched

 
Matched  

'Matched' is actually part of the series I am currently reading! I am on book 2/3 and loving it. If you love dystopian society books then you will love this. I know some people find dystopian society books almost repetitive but I honestly love them and I love a series even more. I often find with series you almost grow with the characters and you end up feeling attached to them, which of course makes the end of a book that much more painful... but its worth it.

"On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her Match.

Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life.

Except he's not.

In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love.

How many children they have.

Where they work. When they die.

But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy,

she is determined to make some choices of her own."

4. Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park

'Eleanor & Park' is actually a book I read a little while ago but I decided to include it because I remember really really liking it. Rainbow Rowell has another book that was quite popular called 'Fangirl' that I believe was in Zoella's book club. So if you ever read that then there is a good chance you'll enjoy this. I think Rainbow Rowell does a good job of writing relatable books that also delve into some more serious issues and I love her style of writing. 

"Eleanor is the new girl in town, and she's never felt more alone.

All mismatched clothes, mad red hair and chaotic home life,

 she couldn't stick out more if she tried.

Then she takes the seat on the bus next to Park.

Quiet, careful and - in Eleanor's eyes - impossibly cool,

Park's worked out that flying under the radar is the best way to get by.

Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes,

Eleanor and Park fall in love.

They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're 16,

and you have nothing and everything to lose."

5. Holding up the universe 

Holding Up the Universe

This book is actually written by Jennifer Niven, the author of 'All the brightplaces'. Now don't kill me but I haven't actually read that yet (I know, I know I'm getting to it) but I know that it has been a massive hit, so if you loved that then you will love this for sure. I love Jennifer Nivens writing style and I adored these characters. I seriously loved this one.

"Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed 'America's Fattest Teen'.

But no one's taken the time to look past her weight to get to see who she really is.

Since her mum's death, she's been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home,

dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief.

Now, Libby's ready: for high school, for new friends, for love,

and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER.

I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin too.

Yes, he's got swagger, but he's also mastered the art of fitting in.

What no one knows is that Jack has a secret: he can't recognize faces.

Even his own brothers are strangers to him.

He's the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything,

but he can't understand what's going on with the inner workings of his own brain.

So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don't get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby.

When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game which lands them in group counseling,

Libby and Jack are both angry, and then surprised.

Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world - theirs and yours. "

6. Saint Anything
 

Saint Anything

Now I love Sarah Dessen books with a passion. Every single one of her books I could (and have) read in a day. I am pretty sure they are aimed for an audience a bit younger than I am, but honestly I don't care. Sarah Dessen writes in a way that literally leaves you unable to put the book down.

"Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family,

receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and - lately - concern.

When Peyton's increasingly reckless behaviour culminates in an accident,

a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift,

searching for her place in the family and the world.

When everyone else is so worried about Peyton,

is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlour,

play bluegrass on weekends and pitch in to care for their mother,

who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance.

And here she meets Mac: gentle, watchful, and protective,

who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time."

So, there we have 6 books you will want to read in a day. As a fellow book lover, I love hearing other peoples book recommendations so feel free to leave yours in the comments.

Thanks for reading and I will speak to you soon,

Holly X

DISCLAIMER: AFFILIATE LINKS INCLUDED

Winter Outfit || OOTD

Westonbirt Arboretum in Autumn.

Westonbirt Arboretum is a popular location for my family. We have our annual passes and enjoy many beautiful walks over the year. We walk our dogs, enjoy the stunning scenery and sometimes even have a cheeky hot chocolate too. The arboretum is always such a gorgeous place to be, but in Autumn it takes beauty to a whole new level. I could spend hours and hours just taking in all the vibrant colours and enjoying the view. A couple weeks ago, my mum and I went on a little autumn walk at the arboretum and of course I had to bring my camera. Here are some of my favourite photos from the day...

Grapefruits and Sweet Potatoes.

So for those of you who know me personally, you may be aware of my obsession with sweet potatoes. I always avoided them when I was younger because they looked different and way too scary to try. However, one day I plucked up the courage to try them and never looked back. It was only to my great surprise when I discovered that they actually have a ton of health benefits too! Recently, upon my quest to be a little healthier, I was browsing Pinterest when I stumbled upon the amazing health benefits of grapefruits too. Being a lover of fruit I decided to add grapefruits into my diet and now each them most mornings when I can. So, for today's post I wanted to go over some of these benefits and share them with you.  Here are my top 3 health benefits of these foods...

Sweet Potatoes:

1- They have super high fibre!

With almost twice as much fibre as other potatoes, they are much slower burning.Bonus!

2- They are high in vitamins!

This includes vitamin B6 (helpful in reducing degenerative diseases), vitamin C (great for disease prevention), vitamin D (good for the immune system) and vitamin E (good for healthy skin and eyes). However, the best one in my opinion is the Vitamin A. A sweet potato provides you with your entire daily recommendation of vitamin A (useful in the prevention of cancer). These are just a few of the benefits of these vitamins but the list is endless!!

3- They help to keep to fuller for longer!

Sweet potatoes are a good source of manganese, meaning that not only do they help keep your body healthy, but they also help to stabilise your appetite helping you not to overeat! 

Grapefruits:

1- They are extremely rich in Vitamin C. 

This comes with a ton of benefits including better skin, better immunity and arguably reducing the risk of some cancers. 

2- They help to lower cholesterol.

Now I am no genius, but anything that helps to lower cholesterol must be good right? 

3- They are super hydrating!

Not quite as hydrating as watermelon but not too far away either, With so many of us being dehydrated, eating hydrating foods can be a great way to get that little extra water.

So there we have just a few of my favourite health benefits from these foods. I don't claim to be a nutritionist or anything like that. I just have been trying to eat healthier and getting to know what you're eating is very interesting I think.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and found it as interesting as I did.

Thanks for reading,

Holly X